Reindeer In The News

Reprinted with the permission of Alberta Farmer ExpressAuthor: Alexis Kienlen

It seems not all reindeer pull Santa’s sleigh. Some can be found just ruminating on select farms throughout Alberta. Ten reindeer farms housing about 135 animals have organized themselves into the Alberta Reindeer Association. One member is Amber Lane Game farm near Leduc, run by Herman, Alice and their son Brendan Bulten.

She calls them “Santa’s back-up” but they can do much more than fly a tinkling sleigh across the snowy skies at Christmas. Try . . . jogging alongside a skier or runner. Hauling heavy gear through deep snow, like a sled dog. Providing a healthy, lean, high-protein meat for human consumption. We’re talking about Alberta’s reindeer.